California Biographies, Santa Cruz County.
OTTO STOESSER.
Transcribed by Peggy Hooper
Source:
History of Santa Cruz County, California
Pacific Press Publishing Company
San Francisco, Cal. 1892
By E. S. Harrison
This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm
OTTO STOESSER.
For a period covering very little less than one-half century Mr. Stoesser was intimately associated with the commercial
development and civic progress of Watsonville and his name is inseparably connected with the local annals. Death alone
had power to terminate his activities. Many of the qualities that distinguished his career came to him by inheritance from
a long line of thrifty Teutonic ancestors, but these attributes were supplemented by characteristics notably American and
more especially typical of the pioneer Californian. To a man thus endowed a complete failure is impossible. For a time
success may hold aloof its laurel wreath, but eventually determination and industry win the goal. Such proved to be
the case in the career of this German-American, whose activities aided in the material upbuilding of the Pajaro valley
and whose personality was a virile force in every important undertaking for the general welfare.
The childhood home of Otto Stoesser was situated in Gaggennau, near Baden-Baden, in the grand duchy of Baden,
Germany, and there he was born November 18, 1825, being a son of Dominick Stoesser. The excellent schools of his native
land afforded him fair opportunities and of these he availed himself until the time came when the necessity of self-support
precluded further educational advantages. While yet a mere lad he heard much concerning America as a home for the
poor young man. As soon as he attained his majority he bade farewell to relatives and friends and set sail for the new
world, landing in New York City June 25, 1846. From there he went to Norfolk, Va., where he was employed for eighteen
months, and next he worked for a short time successively at Wilmington, N. C, Columbia and Danville, Pa., after which
he worked for John Hagan, at No. 308 Market street, Philadelphia. Resigning that position February 22, 1850, he
prepared for a voyage to California and five days later he embarked on the Zenobia for San Francisco. Slowly the vessel
proceeded southward to the Horn and thence up the Pacific. Only a very few stops were made, one of these being at Val-
paraiso, Chile, where the vessel anchored for four days.
After having landed at San Francisco on the 13th of August after a voyage of almost six months, Mr. Stoesser secured
employment with M. L. Wynn, manufacturer of Wynn's golden syrup. While there he witnessed the celebration at-
tendant upon California's admission as a state. Like all new-comers, he was ambitious to try his luck in the mines and
with this purpose in view he traveled to a mine near Agua Fria, but he was so unfortunate that when he returned to
San Francisco on Christmas day he had only $4.85 in his possession. The first employment he was able to secure was that
of cabin-boy on board the Columbia, bound for Panama, and he returned on the same ship in March of 1851. Hoping to
meet with better success in the mines, he went to the Feather river and Rich Bar mines, but the same bad luck befell him
and he was discouraged from all further efforts in mining. Returning to San Francisco he was about to ship as a cabin-boy,
but happening to see a sign ''Wanted: a Dishwasher," he entered the restaurant and secured the job. Ten days later he
secured work as a pastry-baker on Kearney street, but twenty- four days after he went there the restaurant was burned.
However, he soon found similar employment and in time received large pay.
Having been induced by Dr. Vandeburgh to go to Santa Cruz and engage in mercantile pursuits, Mr. Stoesser brought
a stock of goods via the steamer Major Tompkins, March 10, 1853, and opened a store on Front street, near the old Santa
Cruz house. At the end of a month he packed his goods in three wagons and started for Watsonville, where he arrived
on the 10th of April. Three months later he bought the interest of his partner, Dr. Vandeburgh. After a time he built
a residence next his store, but this he eventually removed to Rodriguez street. In 1873 he erected a double store building,
two stories in height, and there he carried on a large business until his death. The profits of his business were wisely in-
vested. In time he became the owner of stock in the Pajaro Valley Bank, also a valuable farm near town and valuable
city property, including his modern residence on the corner of Third and Rodriguez streets. For years he was said to
be the largest tax-payer in Watsonville and his extensive holdings were the result of his unaided exertions in a land
far distant from the home of his birth.
Any office within the gift of the people of Watsonville would have been tendered to Mr. Stoesser had he been willing to
accept, but with one exception he declined all official positions, the exception being the position of city treasurer, which
he held for thirty years by successive re-elections, until finally he declined to serve longer in that capacity. The first fire
department in Watsonville was organized largely through his energetic efforts and he never ceased to be interested in the
success of the department. For some years he served as vice-president of the Santa Cruz County Pioneers and always he
was warmly interested in that organization, but he never allowed his name to be presented for membership in any other
society or fraternity. While still actively managing his large enterprises he was taken ill and after an illness of two weeks
he passed away, May 18, 1902, leaving to mourn his loss his widow and their two children, Julia M. and Otto D, Mrs.
Stoesser, prior to her marriage in 1861, had borne the name of Elizabeth J. Doran and was a daughter of
Edward and Julia (O'Farrell) Doran.
Predominant among the characteristics of Mr. Stoesser was his warm interest in workingmen. This was in part due to
his thoughtful disposition and in part to his own early struggles for a livelihood. His employes found him considerate
and kind and a situation in his employ was said to mean ''for life or during good behavior." As his means became larger
his ability to aid the distressed and needy became correspondingly greater, and many a struggling soul owed to him
practical help as well as words of encouragement. The business that owed its remarkable success to his capable over-
sight continued unchanged for some time after his demise, but in May of 1905 it was incorporated with the firm of
W. A. Speckens and the J. A. Baxter Company, under the title of the Pajaro Valley Mercantile Company, thus forming an
organization of great financial strength. A general mercantile business is transacted at Nos. 327-329 Main street and Nos.
13-17-19 West Third street, Watsonville, and the modern merging of various interests will increase the usefulness of
concerns planted by honored pioneers of our city.